As a felony attorney, I represent clients that have been charged with all types of crimes.  A felony is simply the classification of the crime, not the crime itself.  For example, those charged with a felony may face a certain amount of time in jail along with a fine if convicted.  A misdemeanor is another type of classification that can also come with jail time upon conviction, though a lesser amount.  When representing clients, we try to have them charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony whenever possible because it reduces the overall sentence should a conviction be delivered by the jury.

In cases of domestic violence, we see that prosecutors will often seek felony charges based on the extent of the alleged crime. These cases can be particularly sensitive, and it is our job to remind everyone that all U.S. citizens are innocent until proven guilty.  That means that just because someone accused you of domestic violence, doesn’t mean that you actually committed the crime.  While a prosecutor and jury may be quick to believe the allegations, our job is to refute their accuracy.

When you hire me as your felony attorney, we will begin by gaining an understanding of the charges that are being brought against you and what your version of the events actually are.  Domestic violence charges can be brought against you by a current or ex-partner, and since many of these cases do not have witnesses, they can become a he-said/she-said situation.  Whenever charges are brought against you, the prosecutor has the burden of proof to make a case as to your guilt.  Without a witness or strong evidence, this can be difficult to do.  Simultaneously, we will go to work gathering evidence that supports your innocence.  This may include an alibi, character witnesses, photographs and documents that demonstrate that these allegations are either completely false or greatly exaggerated.  The more information you can provide during your initial consultation, the better prepared we will be for your day in court because we will be armed with more evidence.

While many of our clients are concerned about felony charges, there is a popular belief that domestic violence charges will come with less of a penalty, or they are easier to have dismissed.  This train of thought can land you in trouble, as any felony or misdemeanor charge should be treated seriously.  If you don’t spend the time gathering evidence and building your case, you can be sure that the prosecutor will and getting a conviction will be fairly easy without evidence to confirm your version of the story.  This is why preparation is critical to the success of your trial and your ability to continue to live freely.  Even if you are certain that the allegations are carefully crafted for a divorce or custody case, you must still proceed as if the prosecutor had all the evidence in the world to prove your guilt.  As a felony attorney, we will work to build a strong case that refutes their accusations and your cooperation is a critical component of this.